Automatic combination container and cover



March 29, 1949. q M. M. RODBELL 2,465,752

AUTOMATIC COMBINATION CONTAINER AND COVER Filed March 30, 1948 INVENTOR.1140670 114. iODBEZL @Mue Y 7 Patented Mar. 29, 1949 OFFICE 2,465,752AUTOMATIC COMBINATION CONTAINER AND COVER Morton M. Rodbell, New York,N. Y. Application March 30, 1948, Serial No.'17,906

12 Claims. (Cl. 206-63) My present invention relates to an automaticcontainer having a base section and a cover section with the coversection so arranged that the cover will normally be closed; but a simplepressure of the hand at a convenient portion of the base will cause thecover to tilt to the open position, rendering the upper surface of thebase section visible.

The base section which is covered by the automatically operable covermay have any suitable or appropriate conformation to adapt it to avariety of purposes. Thus, its upper surface may have a depression orwell therein specifically fitted and arranged to receive the tab of amemorandum pad, index pad, or other type of stationery unit.

The well or depression of the base section may be sufficiently deep andappropriately dimensioned so that the base section may be adapted toutilization as a cigarette box, jewelry container, hair-pin container,or as a container for many other purposes.

The cover section may also be provided, if desired, with a well ordepression in its upper surface adapting it to receive a calendar pad,advertising device, a mirror, ornamentation of various kinds, and otherreplaceable or permanently attached items.

In one embodiment where my automatic unit is sold as a desk unit, thebase section may be arranged so that a telephone index pad may besecured therein, the pad being covered by the cover section, the coversection extending down to a point Where only the index tabs of thetelephone index pad are visible. The upper or cover section may thenhave provision for insertion of a calendar pad.

Thus, while my novel unit is adapted to many purposes including amongthose previously mentioned and in addition to many other usages itsadaptation as a pin or clip tray, a tray for individual sheets or forany other article which may be permanently secured or removably placedin the unit, it is nevertheless a simplified structure requiring in mostcases no modification in changing from one use to another, and in somecases only minor modifications.

While my unit may preferably be made of any thermo-setting orthermo-plastic material, it may also be made of wood, metal, paperboard,

; leather, or other materials, and the cover and base sections mayindividually be made of different materials or combinations of differentmaterials, and the base may also be arranged so that in addition or inplace of providing a support for solid objects, it may serve as anash-tray, powder container, or for other similar purposes.

The tilting back of the cover as above pointed out occurs automaticallywhen pressure is applied at an appropriate convenient point; but thecover when it is tilted to the vertical position rendering the contentsof the bottom section available, provides a shield for the base,blocking the view of the base with respect to anyone but the actual userof the article.

Thus, where the base section contains a memorandum pad, markings on thememorandum pad may automatically be concealed from anyone but the usereven though the pad is in use.

My invention is directed to the principle of construction of the covermember in conjunction with the base section so that the cover member mayopen without any mechanical or other assistance other than that the basemust be so arranged that its rear end, that is, the point ofattachment'of the cover thereto, be off the surface on which the unitrests.

The primary object of my invention, however, is the arrangement of thecover member in such manner that finger pressure at the forward end ofthe base member will cause the cover to tilt automatically to a verticalposition uncovering the base.

' For this purpose the cover member is pivoted at the rear end of thebase member and extends below the bottom of the base member on a forwardly directed curve so that the point of contact of the cover with thesurface on which the unit rests is located between the pivot point ofthe cover and the front end of the base.

Finger pressure adjacent the front end of the base will thus result indownward pressure at the rear end of the base as well and hence downwardpressure at the pivot point of the cover.

Since this downward pressure is rearwardly of the point of contact ofthe cover with the surface on which the unit rests, this will betranslated effectively into upward pressure by the action of forces onthe point on which the cover extension engages the surface, thus causingthe cover to pivot upwardly about its pivot.

Thus, another object of my invention is the provision of a novelcontainer unit provided with a cover wherein the cover may automaticallytilt to uncover the base member on the application of finger pressure toa portion of the base member.

Another object-of my invention is the arrangement of the cover member sothat its pivot on the base and its point of contact with the surface onwhich the unit rests are so arranged that down- Ward pressure on anyportion of the base member will result effectively in downward pressureon the pivot of the cover and corresponding upward pressure on the pointof engagement of the cover with the surface.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a novel containerunit provided with a base section for retention of an index pad ormemorandum pad or other contents as above noted and a cover sectionhingedly connected thereto provided with means for retention of acalendar pad or other pad, or other inserts as an adve r.. tisingmessage, a display case or other product or article.

Another object of my invention is the formartion and construction of anovel combination con-v tainer having a base and a cover sectionincluding means for presenting either the upper surface of the base orthey upper surface of the cover to view at the will of the user.

Essentially, as above pointed out, my invention contemplates anarrangement of the base so that one end of the base rests on the surfaceor table top on which the entire unit rests. The other end of the baseis raised clear of the surface or table top by the curved camming memberof the cover section, which camming member is so arranged that on theapplication of finger pressure at the first mentioned portion of thebase, the

cover will be rotated to the open position.

The foregoing and many; other objects of my invention will becomeapparent in the following description and drawings in which Figure l isa view in perspective of my novel desk unit in closed position.

Figure 2 is aschema-tic side View showing [the closed position of theunit.

Figure 3 is a schematic side view showing the open position of-the unit.

Figure 4 is an expanded view showing the relationship of the parts ortheunit.

Figure 5 is a view in perspective showing the unit of Fig-urel in openposition.

Referring now to the figures, my novel unit comprises a base member I 0preferably made, of

a readily moldable thermo-plastic or thermo-setting plastic materialhaving a depressed well-i3 inits upper-surf ace.

The cover and-[the base may individually or in combination be made ofall-types of material including metal, leather, wood, paper, fibre,orcombinations of any such materials. The cover and base may be the samecolororcontrasting-colors, andeach of-the cover and base may themselvesbe made incombinations of colors where desired. Thus, the base may-be-ofmetal or wood andthe top maybe of leather or may be leathercovered. Other combinations of materials will readily suggestthemselves.

The bottom wallof Well 13 isprovided with a pair of slots l4, I5 toreceivea tab of aniindex rp-ad, memorandum pad, or othersuitablematerial which may beplacedin the well 13. The recess I 6 in thecenterslot l5 facilitates the passing through of thetab of a memorandumpad where one is used.

The memorandum-or index padrwhich may-be -used in connection withtheunit is not-shown herein sin-cethese are of standardwell-knownconstruction.

A hole I! may be provided in the base for-attaching other elements whichit maybedesired ito mountfinlthe well l3'-of--the;base. Thus, in-

, other I8 is not cured Ito the bottom wall of well 13 of the base,covering up the slots l4 and 15, or the base may be made without slotsI4 and I5 and even without the hole l1 to serve as a container forashes, powder, paper clips, bobby pins, etc., or an advertising deviceor ornament or other solid object, or other type of pad may be securedin the well l3 in any suitable manner, as for instance by passing afastening device through the hole l1.

The forward end of the base ll! may have any suitable construction and,for instance, may be provided with the transverse pen or pencil recess[8.

In appropriate cases where the device is to be usedas a container forpowder, paper clips, or elements where a pencil recess 0r troughdesired, such pencil recess or trough may be omitted entirely, orsuitable means such as a contrasting ornamental filler may be placed inthe pencil recess or trough I8. One such contrasting trough or pencilrecess filler may be a transparent piece ofcellulose acetate poured intothe recess and hardened therein.

The cover member-as shown extends down only so far as, would benecessary to cover the body of an indexed pad, leaving the index tabsvisible.

Where the base member is to be utilized to hold other elements, suchascigarettes, jewelry, powder, ashes, etc., the end of the cover membermay extend clear down beyond the forward end of the well IS in the baseto completely cover the well.

The forward edge of thecover member may indeed be arranged to enter intoa slot provided adjacent the forward end of the base in order to providean efficient and complete closure for the unit. Theforward end of thebase may, if necessary, be provided at 20 with a legend such as thelegend shown Press here to guide the user in exerting pressure in thecorrect position to operate the mechanism in the-mannerhereinafter-described.

The'rear end of :the base is provided with extensions .21, 2!preferablyintegrally formed with the base. These extensions provide apivot for the covermember 30.

The cover member 30 as shown in the figures has anupper surface 3|containing a depressed well 32 provided with suitable recesses or slots33, 33 to receivea .tab-orextension of a calendar pad or othersuitablepad.

The depressed'wel1 3.2.may. also be arranged to provide asupport for aninset-display caseshowwing some productor an advertising I panel, or for any other suitable material. If-d-esired, the well 32 may even beprovided with a lid so that the cover itself-willbe a container.

vTheslots 33, 33 as arrangemmay actually re- .ceiveand position theentirepad, maintainingthe face of thecover,

The calendanpadlmay then bepinched 0r slid outof the slotseachmonthtofacilitatetheremoval of the top sheet or theltopsheetmay-simply be.pulled off.

Other types ofinserts may, of course, beused inthe recess 32wheredesired; Ihave here shown my composite .unit constructed as acombined index or,memorandum pad and calendar pad iarrangement.

which may be desired. Where the well 32 of the cover is to be used as acontainer for loose articles and is in turn to be provided with a lid,then of course the base of the well 32 will be flat and unbroken.

The cover 30 is provided with the side flanges 35,35 each of which hasan opening 36 which may be sprung over the lug or extension 2| on eachside of the base I0, thereby pivoting the cover 30 on the base 10. A

A reinforcement 35a may be provided along the sides of the flanges 35and extending up over the openings 36 so that the ends of the lugs orextensions 2| will be flush with the outer surface of the flanges 35when they are in position.

The side flanges 35 are specifically curved as shown in the figures sothat the point 40 at which the side flanges engage the table is locatedforwardly of the pivot 2| on each side, and therefore is located betweenthe pivot 2| and the front end of the base l having the pencil recess l8and the finger guide 20.

The portion 4| of each side fiange 35 between the point of engagement 40with the surface on which the unit rests and the rear 40 of the cover iscurved as shown so that the cover may readily pivot from the position ofFigures 1 and 2 to the position of Figures 8 and 5.

The forward ends 44 of the side flanges are curved and shaped so thatthe cover 30 engages the surface on which the unit rests only at thepoints or areas 40.

The curve M is preferably a rounded one, as shown in the figures, sothat irrespective of the angle at which the cover may be, the point 40of engagement with the surface will always be effectively a pointcontact so that the unit may by slight pressure at point 20 be operatedto raise the cover only partly, and then by additional pressure may beoperated to raise the cover all the way.

Where it is desired to so arrange the unit that the cover will, however,be closed or snapped to a full open position, then instead of a curve at4|, it would be necessary then to use simply a straight line so that theunit would snap from the point of contact 40 to a full open position,

terminating with the straight line in contact with the surface.

With the present arrangement a slight but continuous pressure willoperate the unit to open the cover all the way. Reducing the pressureand pressing for only a minute interval of time as determined by theuser will open the cover only part way. As a practical matter, I havefound that a slight finger pressure of but a few ounces will serve toopen the cover entirely and the user may readily determine for himselfafter one or two attempts just what pressure will serve to open thecover only part way.

Thus, where the unit is used as a covered ashtray, only a slight openingof the cover is needed to deposit ashes. Where it is used as a cigarettecontainer, only a partial opening of the cover is needed, to remove acigarette. Where it is used as a memorandum pad, then the cover shouldsnap to the full open position of Figure 3 in order to enableappropriate markings to be made on the memorandum pad.

It will thus be seen from a comparison of Figures 2 and 3 that whenpressure is applied to the forward end of the base at approximately thearea 50 of Figure 2, this downward pressure will also be transmitted tothe pivot or lug 2| and the entire base will act as a lever pivotingdownwardly around point 5| which is the line of engagement of theforward end of the base with the surface on which the unit rests therebyexerting downward pressure on the lugs or pivots 2|.

This downward pressure being exerted rearwardly of the points of contact40 of the side flanges of the cover 30 with the surface will, therefore,exert a corresponding counterclockwise rotative eifect on the points ofcontact with respect to Figure 2.

This will result in rotation of the points 40 of flanges 35 around thepivots 2| and hence in rotation of the entire cover 30 from the positionof Figure 2 to the position of-Figure 3.

Consequently, when the user desires to obtain access to the well l3 inthe base, he need merely place his finger at the area 20 exerting aslight downward pressure therein. This will cause the cover to snap fromthe position of Figures 1 and 2 to the position of Figures 3 and 4.

He may then consult the index pad or other contents in well l3 or makenotes thereon and when he is finished he may then rotate the cover backfrom the position of Figures 3 and 5 to the position of Figures 1 and 2.

Since the cover snaps from the position of Figures 1 and 2 to theposition of Figures 3 and 5, any note or view which the user may wish tomake or do even while another person is present will be shieldedautomatically from the view of the other person.

Various means may be provided in conjunction with my invention,including various stippling or ornamental elements, special arrangementsor conformations-of the cover or of the base, pro vision for advertisingmessages or legends, provision for more than one pencil recess l8, ifdesired.

While my unit will operate simply on downward finger pressure at thearea as above described, it will also operate on rearward movement ofthe entire unit, especially where the point 40 is in good frictionalengagement with the surface on which the unit rests.

I have found that the natural tendency of operating my unit isthat whenfinger pressure is applied at the area 20 at the same time some rearwardforce is exerted by the user without specific instruction to do so.

Actually I have found that either action, downward pressure at point 20or a rearward push, will serve to open the unit.

The combination of these two forces causes the cover 30 to snap from theposition of Figures 1 and 2 to the position of Figures 3 and 5 withpractically no effort. By the arrangement herein shown, the twopieceunit can be disconnected and used separately, the top portion as acalendar or other purpose; the bottom portion as a separate memorandumpad or calendar support, display device, container for cigarettes, paperclips, jewelry, powder, ashes, etc.

The sides and top may be appropriately decorated when desired. Thus, athermometer may be placed on one side of the cover or other elements ormaterials may be incorporated.

In the foregoing I have described my invention solely in connection withspecific illustrative embodiments thereof. Since many variations andmodifications of my invention will now be obvious to those skilled inthe art, I prefer to be bound not by the specific disclosure hereincontained, but only by the appended claims.

I. claim:

1. A container comprising a. base section and a. cover section; said covr section being rotatably connected tov said base section at one end of.said base section and being rotatable about said connec icn from. aposition where. it encloses t least a portion of the upper surface of.said base section to a position where. it reveals. the upper. surfa evof the base section; said. cover having depending side sections at the.region oi securement of the cover to the base; said side sectionsextendin below the. lowest portion. of the base at S i r n; saidcontainer being adapted to. rest on a surface. With said dependent sidesections ofthe cover and. the end of the base. opposite said side.sections. in en agement with said surface; said side sections. beingcurved. to; provide substantially a. point. contact between said. sidesections. and said surfa e; said poin Contac being located on each. sidebetween the point. of rotatable securement, of thecover to the base andthe end. of. the. base-in. contactwith said surface; ressure. on. theupper; surface of the base adiacent the end thereof in contact. with.the surface causing said cover to. rotate from; closed to. openposition.

2.. A container comprising; a base. section, and a cover section; saidcover sectionbeing. rota-ta bly connected. to said base. section at.one. end. of said base. section, and being. rotatable, about saidconnection from a position where;- it encloses, at least. a. po on o h-upper surfaceof said ba e section to; a. position. Where it. revealsthe upper siltface, of the base. section; said cover having dependingside sections. at the region of secure.- ment of th cover to. the base;said side sections extending below the lowest portion. of the base atsaid region; said container being adapted to rest. on a surface withsaid dependent. side sections of the cover. and the end of the. baseopposite. said side sections. in. engagement with said surface; said.side sectionsbeing curved. to pro.- vide substantially a point. contactbetween said side sections andlsaidsurface; saidipoint. contact beinglocated on each side between the point. of rotatable securement ofthecover to, the base and the end of" the base in contact withsaid-surface; pressure on the upper surface of the-base adjacent the endthereof in contactwith the surface causing the pivot. off said cover topress downwardlyand causing said-point of-contact to be pushedupwardly-to rotate said coverfrom closed to open position.

3. A container comprising a base section and a cover section; said"cover-sectionbeingrotatably connected to said basesection at one end ofsaid base section and being rotatable about said connection from aposition where-it encloses at least a portion of the'uppersurface ofsaidbase section to a: position where it reveals the upper surfaceofvthe base-section; said cover having depending side sections at theregion of securement of; the cover to thebase; saidisidd sections ex;-tending below the lowest portion: of; the baseat said region;said;containerybcingiadapted to rest Q1113! surface;WithLsalldidfipendentlSidEiSBCtiODSjOf C V 1 -2tnd; the; end: of: thebase opposite: said id sections in engagement. with. said surface; sa d;side sections b.e ing;-. curved; to.:provide, substantially a point;contactbetween said-side sections andsaid-surface; said point contactbeing located on eachside betweenthe point ,of rotatable sccurement of,the;-cover\to thdbase and.the end of; the; base, in contact. with said.surface; pressure, on theuppen surface of, the base: causing said coverto-rotate from closed to open position.

4. A container comprising a base section and a cover section; said coversection being rotatably connected to said base section at one end of.said base section and being rotatable about said connection from aposition where it encloses at. least a. portion of the upper surface ofsaid base section to a position where it reveals the upper surface ofthe base section; said cover havingv depending side sections at theregion. of securement of. the cover to the base; said side sectionsextendin below the lowest portion of the. base at. said. region; saidcontainer being adapted to rest on a. surface with said dependent side:sections of. the cover and the end of the base opposite said sidesections in engagement with said surface; said side sections beingcurved to provide substantially a point cont-act between said sidesections and said surface; said point: contact being located on eachside between the point of rotatable securement of the cover to. the baseand; the end of the base in contact with; saidsurface.

5.. A. container comprising a base section and a cover section; saidcover section being rotatably connected to said.- base section at oneend of said base section and being rotatable about said. connection froma, position where it encloses at least a. portion of the upper surfaceof said base section. to aposition where it reveals the upper surface ofthe base section; said cover having depending side sections at theregion of securement of the cover to the base; said side sectionsextending below the lowest portion of the; basev at said region; saidcontainer being adapted to rest on, av surface with said dependentsidesections of the. cover and the end of the base opposite said sidesections in engagement with said. surface; said side sections beingcurved to provide substantially a pointv contact between said sidesections and. said surface; said point contact. being: located on. eachside between the point of. rotatable securement of. the cover to thebase and the end of. the base in contact with said. surface and apencil. recess in a portion of the base beyond. the end. of. said cover.

6... A container comprising. a base section. and a cover section; saidcover section being rotatably connected. to. said. base section at oneend of. said base, section. and; being rotatable about said, connectionfrom. a. position. where it en.- closes at least a. portionof. the uppersurface. of said base. section to a. position. where it reveals the.upper surfacecf. the. base section; said cover having depending; sidesections. at the. region. of securernent of. the coverv to the base;said. side sections extending: below the lowest. portion. of the base atsaid. region; said container being adapted to rest on. a surface with.said. depend.- entside sections ofthe cover. and the end of the base.opposite. said sidesections in engagement with said surface; curved-to.provide substantially a. point contact bQtWBtihrsdidSidc sectionsandsaid surface; said pointncontact being located on eachside betweenthetpoint of rotatablesecurement. of the cover to, the base: and theendof. the base in contact with said surface; a recess in theupper surfaceof said base formingacontainer.

7. A-. container comprising a basesection and aicoversection; said coversectionbeing rotatably, connected.topsaidpbase. section at one. end ofsaidbase section and.beingrotatableabout said. connection from.apositionpwhere it ensaid side sections being.

9 closes at least a portion of the upper surface of said base section toa position where it reveals the upper surface of the base section; saidcover having depending side sections at the region of securement of thecover to the base; said side sections extending below the lowest portionof the base at said region; said container being adapted to rest on asurface with said dependent side sections of the cover and the end ofthe base opposite said side sections in engagement with said surface;said side sections being curved to provide substantially a point contactbetween said side sections and said surface; said point contact beinglocated on each side between the point of rotatable securement of thecover to the base and the end of the base in contact with said surface;a recess in the upper surface of said base forming a container; saidcover permitting a portion of said recessed container to be exposed toview when covered.

8. A container comprising a base section and a cover section; said coversection being rotatably connected to said base section at one end ofsaid base section and being rotatable about said connection from aposition where it encloses at least a portion of the upper surface ofsaid base section to a position where it reveals the upper surface ofthe base section; said cover having depending side sections at theregion of securement of the cover to the base; said side sectionsextending below the lowest portion of the base at said region; saidcontainer being adapted to rest on a surface with said dependent sidesections of the cover and the end of the base opposite said sidesections in engagement with said surface; said side sections beingcurved to provide substantially a point contact between said sidesections and said surface; said point contact being located on each sidebetween the point of rotatable securement of the cover to the base andthe end of the base in contact with said surface; a recess in the uppersurface of said base forming a container and a recess in the uppersurface of said cover forming a container.

9. A container comprising a base section and a cover section; said coversection being rotatably connected to said base section at one end ofsaid base section and bein rotatable about said connection from aposition where it encloses at least a portion of the upper surface ofsaid base section to a position where it reveals the upper surface ofthe base section; said cover having depending side sections at theregion of securement of the cover to the base; said side sectionsextending below the lowest portion of the base at said region; saidcontainer being adapted to rest on a surface with said dependent sidesections of the cover and the end of the base opposite said sidesections in engagement with said surface; said side sections beingcurved to provide substantially a point contact between said sidesections and said surface; said point contact being located on each sidebetween the point of rotatable securement of the cover to the base andthe end of the base in contact with said surface; and a recess in theupper surface of said cover forming a container. 10. A containercomprising a base section and a cover section; said cover section beingrotatably connected to said base section at one end of said base sectionand being rotatable about said conof the base section; said cover havingdepending side sections at the region of securement of the cover to thebase; said side sections extending below the lowest portion of the baseat said region; said container being adapted to rest on a surface withsaid dependent side sections of the cover and the end of the baseopposite said side sections in engagement with said surface; said sidesections being curved to provide substantially a point contact betweensaid side sections and said surface; said point contact being located oneach side between the point of rotatable securement of the cover to thebase and the end of the base in contact with said surface; a recess inthe upper surface of said base forming a container; the recess in saidbase providing means for securing a pad therein.

11. A container comprising a base section and a cover section; saidcover section being rotatably connected to said base section at one endof said base section and being rotatable about said connection from aposition where it encloses at least a portion of the upper surface ofsaid base section to a position where it reveals the upper surface ofthe base section; said cover having depending side sections at theregion of securement of the cover to the base; said side sectionsextending below the lowest portion of the base at said region; saidcontainer being adapted to rest on a surface with said dependent sidesections of the cover and the end of the base opposite said sidesections in engagement with said surface; said side sections beingcurved to provide substantially a point contact between said sidesections-and said surface; said point contact being located on each sidebetween the point of rotatable securement of the cover to the base andthe end of the base in contact with said surface; a recess in the uppersurface of said base forming a container; the recess in said coverproviding means for securing a pad therein.

12. A container comprising a base section and a cover section; saidcover section being rotatably connected to said base section at one endof said base section and being rotatable about said connection from aposition where it encloses at least a portion of the upper surface ofsaid base section to a position where it reveals the upper surface ofthe base section; said cover having depending side sections at theregion of securement of the cover to the base; said side sectionsextending below the lowest portion of the base at said region; saidcontainer being adapted to rest on a surface with said dependent sidesections of the cover and the end of the base opposite said sidesections in engagement with said surface; said side sections beingcurved to provide substantially a point of contact between said sidesections and said surface; said point contact being located on each sidebetween the point of rotatable securement of the cover to the base andthe end of the base in contact with said surface; said base and covermember being disconnectable to form separate units.

MORTON M. RODBELL.

REFERENCES CITED FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Sept. 9,1935 Number

